Schuyler, N.Y. — An Oneida County man was hit and killed Christmas night while using a walker on state Route 5 in Herkimer County, state police said.
But the driver who struck Terry Rolfe, 68, of Utica, later told troopers he did not realize he had hit a person.
Instead, Christopher A. Melucci, 36, also of Utica, said he thought he had struck a guardrail, state police spokesman Trooper Jack Keller said.
Someone called 911 at 7:21 p.m. Saturday to report the crash on Route 5 in front of Schuyler town offices.
Rolfe, who had been diagnosed with dementia and was living at a local assisted living facility, was transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. Rolfe was pronounced dead at the hospital Saturday night, state police said.
Troopers, meanwhile, found the Chrysler PT Cruiser involved in the crash a short time later on Concord Drive in the city of Utica, a short distance from the scene, Keller said.
Melucci cooperated with state police, told them what happened and agreed to be tested for any alcohol impairment, which was negative, Keller said.
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